Fla. Welcome Signs With Scott's Name Costing $8K-Plus

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) – Travelers visiting Florida will get a personal welcome from Gov. Rick Scott. Scott has defended spending $8,800 to put his name on highway signs welcoming travelers to Florida.

The multimillionaire Republican is going through the state budget line by line looking for spending items to veto so he can save money for taxpayers.

But at a news conference Tuesday he said the signs are just fine.

Scott, who was elected in November, said the signs "look nice" and come with the job.

He said that job is to promote the state and having his name on the signs "is part of promoting the state."

Scott's recent activities included signing an insurance 'reform' bill Tuesday that will allow insurance companies to raise rates, in some cases, without government intervention, and contains provisions so controversial some Republican lawmakers urged Scott to veto the bill their party passed.

The bill also allows insurance companies to raise premiums up to 15% per year to cover the cost of reinsurance and advertising expense, without facing regulatory oversight and review by the State Insurance Commissioner.

Critics said it would lead to higher premiums for homeowners and other property owners. Former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a similar measure last year.

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